The Fabric of Her

A Multi-Sensory Exploration of Identity

Artists

Ana Everling

Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez

Installation Concept

This installation is a multi-sensory exploration of identity and the intricate duality of womanhood, presented through the collaborative work of two women artists. Drawing on diverse mediums and techniques, the exhibition invites viewers into a deeply personal yet universal narrative about sacrifice, resilience, and the complexity of personal identity.

Mediums used: cyanotypes on fabric, embroidery, vintage lace, old photographs, DIY Decor and Improvised Soundtrack: The space is transformed into a living, breathing environment with handmade decorative elements and live, improvised music that creates an immersive experience.

About the Artists

Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez

Joanna Arellano-Gonzalez is a first-generation Mexican-American artist born and raised in Little Village, Chicago. She was raised in the arts and was taught embroidery by her paternal grandmother at age 7. Joanna has been embroidering for the past 28 years and has been beading for the past 18 years. Joanna uses embroidery and beading as a form of prayer and to energetically transmit the medicine of Mexican and indigenous culture, spirituality and struggle. She has shown her pieces at Comercio Popular, 18th Street Open Studios, Hairpin Arts Studio, the Honeycomb Network, and the Evanston Arts Center. In her large scale embroidery pieces, she utilizes an embroidery stitch used by the Otomí artists in Mexico.

Ana Everling

Ana Everling is a multidisciplinary artist from the Republic of Moldova, whose visual creations reflect her deep connection to music, storytelling, and cultural heritage. Known primarily as a musician, Ana’s visual art focuses on self-portraits, exploring themes of identity, memory, and emotion. Using innovative mediums like cyanotypes and layered techniques, her works offer a unique perspective that bridges her artistic disciplines and invites introspection.

Fabric of Her

Fabric of Her